COPD & Emphysema Support Group

COPD is a progressive disease characterized by airflow obstruction or limitation. Emphysema is characterized by loss of elasticity of the lung tissue, destruction of structures supporting the alveoli and of capillaries feeding the alveoli. Both have symptoms that include shortness of breath, among other respiratory troubles. If you are a COPD or Emphysema sufferer, join...

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Hello to everyone. Hope I'm doing this right. I need some advice please. I was told on wednsday that I have asthma and copd. But I'm having a hard time believing it. Ok to start from the beginning. But I'll try to make it short. Started going to my doc because of migraines and insomnia. Also having chest pains. Felt like my heart was being squeezed. I also had extreme fatigue. Past that off cause of the insomnia. I've been a smoker for allmost 19 years. Had the bronchitis twice a year every year. Coughing a lot upon waking. Bringing up mucas here and there. Short of breath but not all the time. But when I went to the doc it was mainly for the migranes and insomnia. Chest pain wasn't bad yet. After so many visit I was told it was high blood pressure. Put me on meds for blood pressure end insomnia and said things would get better. Well after 2 months it didn't. Sleeping better, blood pressure good, but fatigue the same and chest pain getting worse. Tuesday I went to the e.r. because chest pain goot so bad. I was scared to death. E.r. doc said acid reflux, stress or a touch of astma and sent me home. Went to my doc wedsnday. Did stress test, e.k.g. said all normal. So he said maybe respiratory. Did a few test and listened to my lungs good. He said he heard low pitched wheezing. Gave me a breathing treatment. Came back when it was done and listened again. Said I was moving air better but still wheezing. That's when he told me he thought it was asthma and copd. I just started to cry. It runs in my family. My grandfather and mother died from copd. My mom was 47. I'm terrified. When he told me my mind when blank and I couldn't think. I guess what I'm asking is can u have both. Why didn't I know I had asthma? I'm 37 and yes I smoke a lot but if I had copd, wouldn't it have been noticable b4 now. A lot more than what I've been feeling. Chest pain is still there and a lot of pressure. Mt bra feels tight a lot. Can anyone help? It would be so appreciated. If anyone could tell me what a lung capacity reading is would be cool to. Told mine should b 485 for my height weight and age, but mine was 300. Thank u all so much if u read all this. Sorry I said it would B short and wasn't.

Welcome to the site. I think we all have the same reaction when diagnosed and start asking questions and seeking information. Many folks have posted some great links for info. Here's another http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/Copd/Copd_WhatIs.html
For me, when I first was diagnoses I noticed that I almost became fixated on breathing- since I also have angina, when I got concerned about breathing, I also had chest pain- was it the angina or was it stress? who knows. As time goes on and you get more information, I found it to be less frightening and more of how I adjust to this disease.
I understand the panic since your parents also had this. My mom did too and I know how she dealt with it but I have to remember- this was a different time and each day new information and things come up that can provide changes or more control for us as we learn to cope.
Hope this helps
Hugs- Lisa

You have come to the right place, I have learned so much on this sight that the doctors never told me.
COPD can strike at any age, fatigue is a problem that can go along with this. Lots of us are also treated for depression and anxiety, for me that seems to help with the fatigue. Sometimes a person has to try different meds. until they find what works for them.
Some women have simply given up on the bras, at least when just at home I have found buying a size or 2 larger around the ribs works fine. They say most of us wear the wrong size as it is, I don't remember the formula for figuring it out but some where online you can get info on how to &quot;fit&quot; yourself for the right fit.
Wish I had some advise for you on the chest pain, maybe get a referal to see a cardiologist.
Good luck, you will get a lot of support and information being tuned into Daily Support !!

Oh my gosh... This is a bit off topic, but the bra thing made a light bulb come on! I'd noticed mine feeling uncomfortable, but didn't think anything of it. Then the last 2 days (yesterday and day before) I had to take my combivent on top of my usual meds because my chest was bothering me, felt tight and uncomfortabe--not painful or bad, but I knew what it was and took the meds. I NEVER equated the bra thing with that but it does make sense it's in the same area you feel it! Next time I'll pay more attention when it start bothering me and I ignore it. LOL

Mrsgoodroe, welcome to the site. I've not been here long and am only 36 with both COPD and it appears like asthma too. The asthma has never been &quot;confirmed&quot; but after what I read today and have dealt with recently, I think that's what it is...

Welcome to our group! But I'm so sorry to hear that you are feeling so badly. You've gotten good advice so far, but I wanted to just add that given your age, and your strong family history, I really hope you will ask your doctor to test you for Alpha-1 Anti-Trypsin Deficiency, which is a genetic condition that causes early -onset COPD, and some other diseases. This test could give your doctor some good guidance on how best to treat you.

And yes, don't worry about bras fight now. Wear them only when absolutely necessary. Invest in some comfy undershirts or camisoles. You'll be very glad you did.

Welcome to the group. We are all fightling COPD with you.
You wrote asking for advice - Ok
Get under the care of a good pulmonologist. After that, my first piece of advice would be to stop smoking, immediately. This will not be an easy thing, just ask many on this board - but they are here and will be there for you to get you thru it.
Next, is to get an exercise plan from your doctor. Because you have asthma, you need to approach exercise under his care..... You do need to know what causes your asthma to flare. Is it allergy or exercise induced. BUT, exercise is important in COPD.
Asthma can show any time in life. Mine didn't show until my lungs were already weak from smoking and illness at around your age. (Found out I had become very allergic to cats and mold). I stopped smoking, which is why I am here today - 25 years later. I am still active in my life, I am now on oxygen but I am alive and seeing my grandchildren grow.
OK the Bra..... You may need to make an adjustment in the size of your bra becasue of COPD. The rib cage gradually expands out trying to accomodate your lungs. Make it comfortable!
Chest pain - A good pulmonologist should get to the bottom of that and help you -
Hope all this works for you. You are at the right place - keep talking to these people - they have been there for so many others. It's a family of sorts. You have plenty of life to live, so it's time to make the choices.
Hugs
Donna

Off topic on the bra thing again - dang, I thought I was just becoming more 'womanly' when I had to go up a size.
On a more serious note - it's perfectly ok to call a doc back up and say 'look i went blank and could you please go over this again'. And, try to get some answers.

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